Monday, April 27, 2009

But really, what is it about some people that need to point out: "Below is a picture of me.... Note my helmet which I always wear when I ride." That's nice. When you take a picture of your fancy car, do you point out the seat belts?

I wrote about Brompton here. Too bad they don't send me one for free. The one big advantage Brompton has over the Swift Folder--also a very good bike and made right here in NYC--is that you can roll the Brompton when it's folded.

I am sad to report that the 2009 version of the bike map is slightly less beautiful than the original version. But it's still the most beautiful city bike map I've ever seen and the most functional I've ever used. And Pittsburgh, especially on bike, would be really tough to figure out without a good map.

Biking is always the perfect way to explore a new city. The snowstorm that greeted my arrival gave way to warmish and sunny weather for my day on bike.

I biked from the tony Squirrel Hill neighborhood where I was staying to the old town of Allegheny (AKA: the North Side). I stopped by Deutschtown (interesting but a little rough), the Warhol Museum (great), and the Mexican War Streets (beautiful). I biked along one of the the river trails, which was pleasant in it's industrial grimness. And even the "modern" part by the stadiums still had lots of chances to fall unobstructed into the river. And then up to Herrs Island.

There was one moment where, at night, when I was trying to find the entrance to another river trail. I was defeated by the freeways and decided to but my losses and carry my bike up over 200 steps near the 10th St Bridge. Pgh indeed!

Overall, though, despite all the mountains, it's pretty easy to bike on mostly flat land (unlike, say San Francisco). And because my ride happened to be on the day of the services for three police officers killed on duty, the streets were largely empty of car traffic.

Pittsburgh itself does, at times, have a vaguely post apocalyptic feel to it. But I love urban decay and old industry. And unlike, say, Baltimore or St. Louis, Pittsburgh seems to have gotten a big broom and swept up most of the rubble.

I love my (no longer made) Batavus Barcelona in Amsterdam. It's the perfect city bike. For $800 new, the Batavus Old Dutch (pictured above) is a very good buy. It's a yuppie bike that makes sense. Especially if you got the money and can bring your bike inside. As a commuter bike, I'd definitely take it over the perfectly fine Bianchi Milano.

I didn't realize the Batavus brand bikes can be bought in North America. Even in NYC. Modsquad carries them.

The worst city bike? Any mountain bike with straight handlebars and no fenders--like most of the bikes out there.